15:55 Haydock

Tuesday 11 August 2020

All13:2513:5514:2514:5515:2515:5516:2516:5517:30

BetVictor Casino Nursery

Off time: 15:56 | Winning time: 1m 29.55s

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(9)

A Boy Named Ivy²⁸

Age: 2| Weight: 9-7| J: K Stott| T: A C Whillans| OR: 80| D

13/2

Overcame a slow start to score with plenty in hand (20-1) in an Ayr novice (7f, good) four weeks ago; the handicapper hasn't missed with an opening mark of 80 arguably excessive.

Form: 41

(10)

First Greyed³⁹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: P Mulrennan| T: M Dods| OR: 78

15/2

Built upon a pleasing introduction to racing (Redcar) when overcoming a slow start (also hung) to nail Source Of Wealth on the line in a soft-ground Hamilton novice (6f) six weeks ago; an opening handicap mark of 78 is no gift.

Form: 41

(1)

Alablaq¹⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: James Doyle| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 78

3/1

Close second to the subsequent Ascot Listed winner Chindit on debut in a Doncaster maiden (7f, good); filled that same berth next time (beaten 6½L) behind the Hamdan Al-Maktoum owned Albasheer; handicap debut.

Form: 22

(5)

Grantley¹⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: D Tudhope| T: J D Bethell| OR: 76

8/1

Cosy neck winner on debut (Redcar, 6f good); reasonably solid in defeat since, including on nursery bow (fourth) at Ascot (7f) latest; needs to find just a fraction more improvement.

Form: 124

(3)

Paws For Thought²¹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: R Kingscote| T: Tom Dascombe| OR: 75

4/1

Has shown a fair level of form on both previous racecourse visits; came off second best (beaten ¾L) to the game Coul Queen at Chepstow (7f, good) three weeks ago; handicap debut.

Form: 32

(2)

Chica Bella³²

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: Rossa Ryan| T: D Loughnane| OR: 74

7/1

Decisive winner of a modest Class 5 fillies' novice auction at Chepstow (6f, good), before toiling in the Group 2 Duchess of Cambridge Stakes at Newmarket; faces a more realistic challenge on handicap debut.

Form: 5417

(7)

Desert History^h1⁴³

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: D Allan| T: J Tate| OR: 74

9/1

Far too keen early doors when simply folding up inside the final furlong at Thirsk (7f maiden) in late June - was beaten 2¾L by sole viable market rival Currency Exchange; has a hood newly-applied for handicap debut.

Form: 52

(6)

Spanish Hustle^p1²⁰

Age: 2| Weight: 8-12| J: B A Curtis| T: K R Burke| OR: 71

16/1

In the shake-up (third) on nursery debut (Class 5) at Catterick (7f, good) three weeks ago; competes off the same mark (71) with cheekpieces now applied seeking an extra edge.

Form: 343

(8)

Serious Intention¹⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 8-11| J: Oisin Murphy| T: R A Fahey| OR: 70

16/1

Kodiac colt (57,000gns yearling); finished a well beaten fifth (behind today's rival Alablaq) at Doncaster (7f) 17 days ago; makes the switch to handicapping in a reasonably competitive affair.

Form: 65

Non-Runners

(4)

Rommel¹²

Weight: 9-0| Age: 2

T: M R Channon J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Alablaq (3/1), Paws For Thought (4/1), A Boy Named Ivy (13/2), Chica Bella (7/1), First Greyed (15/2), Grantley (8/1), Rommel (8/1), Desert History (9/1), Serious Intention (16/1), Spanish Hustle (16/1)

Not exactly the kind of contest for displaying a strong and firm opinion, although the sneaking suspicion is that the handicapper has set the Scottish scorers A Boy Named Ivy (7f) and First Greyed (6f) plenty to do on their respective nursery debuts. Therefore, greater value is sought elsewhere in the shape of the James Tate-trained DESERT HISTORY. Assuming that the application of headgear (sports a first-time hood) allows him to settle more easily than at Thirsk, he could be just the type to step forward and spring a minor surprise. Meanwhile, Tom Dascombe's Paws For Thought ranks as another to consider.